Ask the Photography Expert
May 2012 Article
When choosing colors to wear for your portraits:
It’s helpful to consider wardrobe (and makeup) colors that complement skin-tone, hair color, and eyes. These color schemes and their complementary colors are traditionally segmented into four groups, named for the seasons.
Winter: Winter complexions have dark or very light hair. Skin is often pale white, olive, or dark. Intense colors like black, navy, red, and hot pink are ideal for individuals with these characteristics. For apparel or makeup using lighter colors, bright white and pastels in blues, pinks, and yellows are also often found to be complementary.
Summer: Summer complexions have very pale skin with pink undertones. Many natural blondes and sometimes brunettes with pale skin and eyes are often in this category. Excellent clothing choices include powder blue, dusty pink, mauve, lavender, plum, and pale yellow. Avoid vivid colors, earth tones, black, and orange.
Autumn: Autumn complexions have golden skin undertones that can be described as pale peach, golden beige, or golden brown. Many individuals with red and brown hair and golden or dark eyes fall into this category. Most complementary includes rich warm colors seen in autumn leaves, along with camel, beige, olive, orange, gold, dark brown, and warm gray.
Spring: Spring complexions have subtle golden skin tones that are usually creamy white or peach.This includes natural golden blondes, auburn, or strawberry blonde redheads. They often have light green or blue eyes as well as freckles and rosy cheeks. Most complementary include pale, soft colors like peach, camel, golden yellow, golden brown, aqua, ivory, bright greens, reds, blues, and coral.
Avoid black, white, dark or dull colors.
April 2012 Article
We live in an instant world, coffee, oatmeal, pudding. We stand in front of the microwave, impatient saying hurry up! All-you-can eat buffets are the order of the day, the most for the least money.
The same attitude spills over into the photograpy business. Anyone with a camera and a Facebook account can claim to be a professional. People want quick results at the lowest price. If our orders can’t be filled in under an hour, we get impatient. Please get it done quickly, and throw in the CD with all my pictures so I can enjoy my smorg.
Real portraiture is about art, and the creation of an image you will be proud to display in your home for years to come. Ask any painter, composer or other artist to rush the creative process, and see what kind of answer you receive. Creativity requires an environment that is conducive to the anticipated final product.
This is why each beautifully framed portrait that leaves Gainsboro bears the artistic signature of the studio. We create fine art; having invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the environment, ongoing training, software, supplies and equipment. Everything in the studio enhances your experience and enables us to bring you quality with a difference. The artistic Gainsboro outcome will be decidedly different from the 1 hour experience, or the here-is-your-disc for you to print at your local drugstore procedure.
One must ask if they will be satisfied with results far less stunning, than what could be a reality, if a professional was hired to capture their important moment in time; whether it is a graduation, wedding, family portrait, or image of a lost loved one.
Choose art, choose lasting impact, choose not to rush the artistic process. Your family for generations to come will thank you!
March 2012 Article
Important events in our lives need to be documented. The marriages, graduations, birthdays and images of loved ones become more precious as years pass. I tell engaged couples to decide what will make the most lasting effect to the outcome of their event. Will it be the food, the flowers, perhaps the dress? In the end, only the photography endures. The digital revolution means friends and relatives have decent cameras. You may have checked several photographers and know pricing varies dramatically. If snap shots are “good enough,” or the lowest fee satisfies, then a professional need not be your choice. However, many people believe their well-meaning Uncle George can produce product like a professional; sadly this is not the case. Many clients have come to us commenting they are heart broken that their memories were ruined by an inadequate experience with a photographer. Professionals invest large sums of money into their equipment for a reason. For instance, high quality lenses with superior glass provide noticeably improved images. Professionals are experts at flattering the human form understanding that an important key to amazing images is the use of appropriate lighting. This knowledge is arrived at via extensive study, training and experience.
I remember stopping at a fire, a crying lady clutched close to her chest, a leather-bound photo album. If the scene had been different I would have asked to see what it contained. She didn’t take her purse or even her coat. She took the time to save only what she knew was irreplaceable.
Invest in your family, your memories, your heritage. Consider the value of your images. If a loved one is not here next year. It would be tragic if you ended up saying; “We were going to have that family portrait done, but now it’s too late.”
February 2012 Article
Gainsboro Studio offers Glamour and Boudoir sessions throughout the year. Sessions are available for individuals, or couples can come in together.
For those not familiar with what a Boudoir session is; it is a session that creates tasteful images, that produce a hint at sexiness. Each person has his or her own idea of what defines sexy, as well as what he or she finds comfortable. It can be cute, fun, flirty or even a bit sensual… all the while maintaining each client’s particular appropriate level of discretion. Gainsboro provides a consultation before the session, to discuss how best to maintain comfort levels throughout the session. These images are often given as gifts seen by your significant other, or for a bride or groom on their wedding day.
These sessions are the most fun you’ll ever have during photo shoot. There’s no pressure to wrangle children or pressure of big-day-events. It is a laid back studio experience, where it’s all about you. You pick the outfits, shoes etc. you want to include and Gainsboro Studio makes the magic happen. The experiences are only limited by your imagination. Bring whatever clothing and props you would like… Even if you do not have someone you want to give these photos to, right at this moment, a Glamour or Boudoir session can impress on you just how beautiful, confident and amazing you really are. Scheduling a session with Gainsboro means you’ll have a wonderful variety of photos looking your best to present to the one you love on Valentine’s Day. Gainsboro Studio specializes in helping clients see the best parts of themselves.
You can even book your session on Valentine’s Day itself. While everyone else is dining at a crowded restaurant, you can be having a unique experience that both will always remember and cherish.
Give a truly memorable Valentine’s Day gift or experience that you will remember for years.Give the gift of a Gainsboro!
January 2012 Article
In a digital and social media world, it is more important than ever before to pay attention to image. Business people constantly let their personal profile and image slide. Few like to push themselves into the forefront, splashing their likeness over advertising or promotional materials. We promote product and services, when what we really want others to see is a visual representation of our integrity and abilities, enticing them to engage in business with us. The majority of the head-shots of business owners and CEO’s are old and not a true reflection of the company presidents or their leadership. It’s worse having dated images on advertising materials or websites, than none at all. The other huge mistake is to use “ a snapshot.” A professional photographer creates the best possible you, using proper posing, lighting and equipment.
Amateur photographers loath admitting that the cost of their equipment does make a difference. Even I cannot take as good an image with my $900.00 London Drugs Canon that’s always in my purse, as I can create using $70,000.00+ of equipment in the studio setting. The camera, lenses, and optimum lighting equipment, are essential in the creation of timeless images. The images that elicit compliments for years to come are not accidental or simple to produce.
Why advertise your likeness if it is not the best possible representation?
At Gainsboro Studio, we also offer unique oil painting over photographic images equal to oil paintings of the company CEO costing tens of thousands, when commissioned by an artist. Nothing compares to your portrait in oils, showcased in the boardroom. It will draw compliments by customers and business associates for years to come. Gainsboro upholds a reputation as the premier studio in Alberta, and as one of the best in Canada. We value that legacy.
December 2011 Article
When choosing colors to wear for your portraits:
It’s helpful to consider wardrobe (and makeup) colors that complement skin-tone, hair color, and eyes. These color schemes and their complementary colors are traditionally segmented into four groups, named for the seasons.
Winter: Winter complexions have dark or very light hair. Skin is often pale white, olive, or dark. Intense colors like black, navy, red, and hot pink are ideal for individuals with these characteristics. For apparel or makeup using lighter colors, bright white and pastels in blues, pinks, and yellows are also often found to be complementary.
Summer: Summer complexions have very pale skin with pink undertones. Many natural blondes and sometimes brunettes with pale skin and eyes are often in this category. Excellent clothing choices include powder blue, dusty pink, mauve, lavender, plum, and pale yellow. Avoid vivid colors, earth tones, black, and orange.
Autumn: Autumn complexions have golden skin undertones that can be described as pale peach, golden beige, or golden brown. Many individuals with red and brown hair and golden or dark eyes fall into this category. Most complementary includes rich warm colors seen in autumn leaves, along with camel, beige, olive, orange, gold, dark brown, and warm gray.
Spring: Spring complexions have subtle golden skin tones that are usually creamy white or peach.This includes natural golden blondes, auburn, or strawberry blonde redheads. They often have light green or blue eyes as well as freckles and rosy cheeks. Most complementary include pale, soft colors like peach, camel, golden yellow, golden brown, aqua, ivory, bright greens, reds, blues, and coral.
Avoid black, white, dark or dull colors.
October 2011 Article
Choosing a photographer?
Having a hobby is where pro’s usually start.Many amateurs now buy some decent equipment, start up shop on Facebook and deliver all the files on a CD to the client, at very low prices.
This no-overhead, new-breed of photographer, has spurred debate over whether professionals should also give away all their files. If given the files, what will you do with them? Will that CD end up in a drawer, or on a hard drive that crashes, and the prints never developed? (this matters most 10 years from now, when the purpose of a photograph truly comes into play)
Some other things to think about:
1) Is the memory really preserved? Our studio is archival, having images back to 1979 in-house, and cataloged back to 1918 at the museum. When an image is lost in a flood or grandma passes away, we reprint it. No looking through shoe-boxes, or hoping the computer crash didn’t eat it.
2) A pro produces images that are artistically branded to their specific style, which is one of the reasons you chose the photographer in the first place.
3) Do you know how to color correct files so skin isn’t red, yellow or blue? Are shadows and blemishes diminished? Which labs give you sophisticated color management practices and calibrated printing?
The pro invests training, time and money, to provide quality portraits that transcend time. If you’re not too worried about that for your “next” wedding, grad, or family reunion; then by all means skimp on the photographer, but if you believe the memory is valuable, perhaps give it the same thought (and budget) as the gowns, flowers, decorations or food. (All of which “die” by the way, unless you have some great images of them!)
September 2011 Article
Important events in our lives need to be documented. The marriages, graduations, birthdays and images of loved ones become more precious as years pass. I tell engaged couples to decide what will make the most lasting effect to the outcome of their event. Will it be the food, the flowers, perhaps the dress? In the end, only the photography endures. The digital revolution means friends and relatives have decent cameras. You may have checked several photographers and know pricing varies dramatically. If snap shots are “good enough,” or the lowest fee satisfies, then a professional need not be your choice. However, many people believe their well-meaning Uncle George can produce product like a professional; sadly this is not the case. Many clients have come to us commenting they are heart broken that their memories were ruined by an inadequate experience with a photographer. Professionals invest large sums of money into their equipment for a reason. For instance, high quality lenses with superior glass provide noticeably improved images. Professionals are experts at flattering the human form understanding that an important key to amazing images is the use of appropriate lighting. This knowledge is arrived at via extensive study, training and experience.
I remember stopping at a fire, a crying lady clutched close to her chest, a leather-bound photo album. If the scene had been different I would have asked to see what it contained. She didn’t take her purse or even her coat. She took the time to save only what she knew was irreplaceable.
Invest in your family, your memories, your heritage. Consider the value of your images. If a loved one is not here next year. It would be tragic if you ended up saying; “We were going to have that family portrait done, but now it’s too late.”
August 2011 Article
We live in an instant world, coffee, oatmeal, pudding. We stand in front of the microwave, impatient saying hurry up! All-you-can eat buffets are the order of the day, the most for the least money.
The same attitude spills over into the photograpy business. Anyone with a camera and a Facebook account can claim to be a professional. People want quick results at the lowest price. If our orders can’t be filled in under an hour, we get impatient. Please get it done quickly, and throw in the CD with all my pictures so I can enjoy my smorg.
Real portraiture is about art, and the creation of an image you will be proud to display in your home for years to come. Ask any painter, composer or other artist to rush the creative process, and see what kind of answer you receive. Creativity requires an environment that is conducive to the anticipated final product.
This is why each beautifully framed portrait that leaves Gainsboro bears the artistic signature of the studio. We create fine art; having invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the environment, ongoing training, software, supplies and equipment. Everything in the studio enhances your experience and enables us to bring you quality with a difference. The artistic Gainsboro outcome will be decidedly different from the 1 hour experience, or the here-is-your-disc for you to print at your local drugstore procedure.
One must ask if they will be satisfied with results far less stunning, than what could be a reality, if a professional was hired to capture their important moment in time; whether it is a graduation, wedding, family portrait, or image of a lost loved one.
Choose art, choose lasting impact, choose not to rush the artistic process. Your family for generations to come will thank you!
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